Asian Dan

The perfect balance of musicianship, songwriting and restraint.

The Stepkids debut their latest single “Sweet Salvation” along with this accompanying psychedelic 80s space-made-for-TV video. “Sweet Salvation” sounds like if Herbie Hancock in the early 80s decided to write the theme song to a PBS space educational show that premiered between Reading Rainbow and Mr. Rogers. It is oh-so-trippy and funky yet so smooth, enjoy.

via stonesthrow.com

The Stepkids have made some big moves in 2011 with their self-titled LP which came out on the iconic Stones Throw Records this past fall. The Stepkids are that great moment when musicianship, impeccable songwriting, and a strong sonic and visual aesthetic all intersect – a very rare and difficult thing to tastefully pull off these days. The gents put together their favorite albums of the year which I strongly co-sign. Be sure to check out some of my favorite cuts from some of these releases as well as an amazing collaboration the Stepkids did with their labelmate, Jonti.

Asian Dan’s Guest List : The Stepkids Top 10 of 2011

Jonti – twirligig

Tuneyards – whokill

Ford & Lopatin- channel preasure

James Blake
 – James Blake
Tyler, The Creater- Goblin
Oneohtrix Point Never- Replica

Thundercat- The Golden Age of Apocalypse

Frank Ocean – Nostalgia/Ultra

Dam Mantle – first wave

Rustie – Glass Swords
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Who knew mannequins could be so mysterious/sexy/trippy. “Wonderfox” is the 2nd single off of the self-titled Stepkids’ album coming out Sept 27 on Stones Throw Records.

It is no surprise that I am a big Stepkids fan as you can tell by the numerous posts recently. I had the opportunity to meet the guys down at SXSW and talk about their upcoming album, their experience being on Stones Throw Records as well as their amazing love for the one and only Steely Dan.

Pick up their limited edition vinyl now of “Shadows on Behalf” Stream the B-Side “La La” below, which is an amazingly soulful and beautiful psychedlic pop song.

The Stepkids – La La by stonesthrow

The Stepkids have re-kindled my love for all things fusion and funk stirred in with some amazing songwriting and musicianship, after seeing their stellar performance down at SXSW. Not to mention that they were also the chillest dudes to interview and hangout with. Be on the look out for an interview I did with them for KarmaLoop TV

The gentlemen of the Stepkids were kind enough to put together a mixtape for one my favorite blogs around these days, Yours Truly. It is a mix dedicated to their neighbor, Mike Faust who gave them advice and support, acting as the bands “father”. I must say he did a good job “raising” these gents into the band we hear today.

Download the mixtape over @ Yours Truly: The Stepkids – Other People’s Poetry Mix

Here is my favorite cut off the mixtape, a track that Jay-Z sampled for “Dear Summer”:

[audio:http://diestruktur.com/asianmandan/music/MARCH%202011/Weldon%20Irvine%20-%20Morning%20Sunrise.mp3]
Weldon Irving – Morning Sunrise

For all you who couldn’t catch The Stepkids in SXSW come out to Littlefield in NYC to see them play with Emil & Friends.

The Stepkids + Emil & Friends @ Littlefield – Brooklyn, NY – 4.2.2011

I know that April 2, 2011 in NYC is a big day for indie music, for it is the final farewell to the indie synth gods LCD Soundsystem. But for those of you who did not get tickets (duh) or don’t care for James Murphy and co, make your way over to Littlefield in Brooklyn to witness a great pairing of acts, The Stepkids and Emil & Friends. There will be lasers, guitar solos, synths and dancing. So please join us.

Follow @ASIANDAN and retweet the following:

“RT to win 2 tix toThe Stepkids + Emil & Friends at @littlefieldnyc – BK – Sat 4.2.2011 http://bit.ly/eu4Gz1 @thestepkids @emilandfriends ”

The winner will be picked on Friday at 5 pm. RT RT RT!

Buy Tickets for $8

RSVP on Facebook

[audio:http://diestruktur.com/asianmandan/music/MARCH%202011/legend-in-my-own-mind.mp3]
The Stepkids – Legend in My Own Mind

Brought to you by Sweet Touch Records, Littlefield, and Asian Dan.

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Stones Throw Records have proven themselves to have a knack for finding contemporary artists that sound like they were lost tapes from the 70s found in an attic. The Stepkids are yet another example of a band that have nailed this nostalgic yet tastefully done recreation of 70s psychedlic prog-pop rock. They craft songs that are full of Rhodes runs a la Mahavishnu Orchestra/Herbie Hancock and vocal harmonies that would make Steely Dan proud. Be sure to check them out live, dates here.

Download: The Stepkids : Shadows on Behalf

Checkout a laser light of a live show below…
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It is that time of the year where we all round up our favorite #mp3s of the year and sum up the year of 2011 in Music. Making these lists are difficult since so much great music came out in 2011, but here are the tracks and albums that stuck with me in 2011.

I will say hands down that Metronomy’s “The English Riviera” is my favorite album of the year, an album that proved they are amazing songwriters and that they put on a great live show. Rustie destroyed 2011 with “Glass Swords” which shows that he is so FUTURE. The Stepkids, Blood Orange and the odd men out, About Group show that honest songwriting and impeccable musicianship still shines through all the hype and buzz of the modern age. I could not stop listening to Blawan “Getting Me Down”, Jim-E Stack “Lemme”, Jamie xx “Far Nearer”, and everything Julio Bashmore produced this year #seriousvibes. Cheers 2011 and here’s to 2012 and all the great music to come.

Also please checkout some of my favorite mixes that I made with the COLT+RANE team: COLT+RANE x The Blind Barber Mix C+R : #summervibes, C+R : autumnal tones 2011, and C+R : A Longtime

Asian Dan Top Ten of 2011

Top 10 Tracks of 2011

Metronomy – The Look
Fort Lean – High Definition
Julio Bashmore – Battle For Middle You
Das Pop – The Game
Jamie xx – Far Nearer
Blawan – Getting Me Down
Emil & Friends – Prescriptions
Jim-E Stack – Lemme
M83 – Midnight City
The Rapture – How Deep Is Your Love?
Kindness – Cyan

Top 10 Albums of 2011

Metronomy – The English Riviera
Rustie – Glass Swords
The Stepkids – The Stepkids
Blood Orange – Coastal Grooves
The Rapture – In The Grace of Your Love
Bibio – Mind Bokeh
Justice – Audio, Video, Disco
Emil & Friends – Lo & Behold
About Group – About Group
Holy Ghost! – Holy Ghost!
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